Students Struggle to Chat as AI Takes Over Dialogue Skills

The Impact of AI on Young People\’s Communication Skills

A recent survey highlights the growing concern among educators about the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on young people’s communication abilities. According to the findings, two-thirds (66%) of secondary school teachers believe that their students\’ critical thinking skills have deteriorated due to the increasing use of AI-powered tools such as chatbots.

This issue is more prevalent among secondary school teachers compared to their primary school counterparts, with the National Education Union (NEU) reporting that this proportion is more than double. Teachers note that children are increasingly viewing machine algorithms as \”friends,\” which reduces the need for them to engage in verbal conversations.

Most chatbots operate by allowing users to input text into a bar on their phone or laptop screen, with generative AI models responding almost instantly. This convenience has led to a shift in how students approach learning and problem-solving.

Changing Homework Practices

An anonymous English teacher and NEU member shared insights into how homework is now conducted online, making it easier for students to rely on AI tools like ChatGPT for assistance. He mentioned that even when asked to handwrite their answers, some students use AI to generate responses that they then copy by hand.

While students can easily \”parrot\” what they learn, forming coherent arguments remains a challenge. Despite this, 76% of teachers use AI tools daily, a significant increase from 53% the previous year. These tools are used for creating resources, planning lessons, administrative tasks, and marking. However, AI marking has faced criticism for its inaccuracies, leading some departments to avoid using it altogether.

The Future of AI Tutors

The government aims to introduce \”AI tutors\” by the end of 2027, with the goal of saving teachers time and personalizing student learning. These tools are expected to benefit over 450,000 children from disadvantaged backgrounds who often lag behind their peers in academic performance.

Officials are collaborating with teachers, tech leaders, and AI labs to ensure that these tools complement, rather than replace, face-to-face learning. In the United States, some school systems have already implemented chatbots for teaching and learning. Iceland has taken a step further by launching the world\’s first national AI education pilot, providing teachers in rural areas with access to Claude, Anthropic’s bot.

Embracing AI in Education

Alex Russell, CEO of Bourne Academy Trust, advocates for UK teachers to embrace AI. Many schools, after initial hesitation, are using machine learning to reduce workloads, an issue that many teachers face. Russell notes that while there was once a sense of guilt associated with using AI, this has shifted, with more openness about its adoption.

Despite this progress, the NEU found that nearly half of the schools (49%) have no policy regarding AI use for either staff or students. Fewer than one in six schools offer tutoring, often due to budget constraints or lack of staff. Children from wealthier families are more likely to have access to tutoring services.

The Role of AI Tutoring

Libby Hills, founder of EdTechnical, believes AI tutoring could be a solution. She points out that AI makes it possible to deliver support at a fraction of the cost, offering unlimited sessions to every child who needs them. For many schools, the comparison isn\’t between AI and a brilliant private tutor but between AI and no tutoring at all.

Hills also emphasizes the importance of integrating AI into the curriculum, given that today\’s students are among the first to grow up with AI. She warns about \”cognitive offloading,\” where students may rely too heavily on AI tools, affecting their ability to develop independent understanding.

Mixed Reactions from Educators

Not all teachers are convinced about the benefits of AI tutors. Only 14% support the government\’s plan to introduce AI tutors for disadvantaged pupils. One NEU member criticized AI tutors, particularly for humanities subjects, stating that while they might explain why an equation is wrong, they struggle with marking English essays accurately.

The government maintains that AI tutoring tools can help break the link between background and success, expanding tailored support to every child who needs it. They stress that no technology should replace core knowledge and disciplinary thinking, but also acknowledge the need to prepare children for a digitally enabled world.